Basking in the Land of Smiles

What do you look for when choosing a travel destination? We all have our own ideas about what makes a great vacation, but no matter what you are looking for, there is a good chance that you will find it in Thailand. It has something for everyone.

Just 15 years ago, fewer than 1 million people traveled to Thailand every year. Those travelers liked what they found, and quickly spread the word. Today, the polite and hospitable Thais play host to more than 8.5 million visitors annually, all of whom are eager to experience Thailand's ancient culture and sample its many attractions.

Adding to its many charms, Thailand is also very affordable. Exploring this diverse country can be so inexpensive that many vacationers find that a fun-packed day in Thailand is far less expensive than a quiet night out in their own country.

Perhaps the first delight to seduce even the most discerning traveler in Thailand is its cuisine. Thai food is regularly rated as some of the best in the world. Most cooking is done with fresh ingredients and frequently employs garlic or chillies with plenty of lime juice, lemon grass, or coriander. These help produce dishes that are spicy, yet deliciously fragrant with a distinctive tang.

Sampling Thailand's diverse dishes will give you the energy to explore its many sights. The capital, Bangkok, and other older cities are graced with elegant ruins and beautifully decorated temples. In these places, one can wander at leisure and learn about the country's rich artistic heritage.

If you are more of a nature lover, consider heading north to Chiang Mai. There you can find many opportunities to trek into the hills, explore jungles and waterfalls, visit the hill tribes of the area, or experience the once-in-a-lifetime pleasures of bamboo-rafting or elephant-riding.

After all that trekking and sightseeing, you may want to relax and soothe away your aches and pains. Thailand also is a great place for pain and stress relief. Places for massage and reflexology are everywhere, ready to work on your tired body and leave you feeling refreshed. Having a traditional Thai massage can be one of the highlights of your visit.

If lying on the beach is your thing, head for one of the many hundreds of beautiful islands that rest along Thailand's lengthy coastline. The beaches in Thailand are some of the best in the world. They range from packed resort spots with plenty of water sports to quiet, idyllic, picture-perfect retreats, where only the gentle sound of the ocean can be heard.

People may leave Thailand and settle back into the hustle and bustle of real life, but the image of Thailand never really leaves them. For this reason, many travelers choose to return again and again to the unforgettable "Land of Smiles".

 “泰”好玩！

    选择旅行目的地时，你考虑的重点是什么呢？我们都有自己理想的度假方式，但无论你考虑的重点是什么，你都有可能在泰国找到你想要的。每个人想要的东西泰国都有。

    就在15年前，每年去泰国旅游的人不到100万人。那些游客喜欢他们在泰国发现的一切并很快地将它传了出去。如今，礼貌又好客的泰国人每年要接待8500多万游客。这些游客都迫不及待地想要体验泰国的古老文化，还可亲临许多引人入胜之处。

    泰国的魅力还在于它的物价是低廉的。游览这个多姿多彩的国家可以很省钱。很多旅游者发现，在泰国度过快乐充实的一天比在自己国家晚上外出一次花费的还要便宜得多。

    到了泰国，第一个让人高兴的，连品味一流的旅行家都无法抗拒的就是泰国美食了。泰式料理通常被列为世界上数一数二的美食。大多数的菜肴都是用新鲜的材料烹调而成，常佐以大蒜或拌有大量酸橙汁、柠檬草或芫荽等。这些调料有助于烹制辛辣、浓郁、具有独特香味的菜肴。

    品尝了泰国各式各样的美食后，你就有充沛的精力去游览当地多处景点。典雅的遗迹和装饰华丽的庙宇把首都曼谷和其它古老的城市装扮得美不胜收。置身其中，我们可以轻松地边漫步边了解这个国家丰富的艺术遗产。

    如果你热爱大自然，可以考虑到清迈一游。在清迈，你会有很多机会徒步走进小山，探索丛林、瀑布，造访当地山地部落，或体验一生一次乘竹筏和骑大象的乐趣。

    在漫步山林和周游名胜后，你可能想要放松一下，舒缓腰酸背痛。泰国也是舒缓疼痛及压力的好地方。按摩和足底按摩的地方到处都有，可以随时随地为您疲惫的身体做按摩，让您感觉精神振奋。享受传统的泰式按摩会是你旅游中的重要内容。

    如果躺在沙滩上享受日光浴是你的最爱，那就去一个小岛吧！沿着泰国绵长的海岸线，有上百个美丽的小岛。泰国的海滩也是世界上数一数二的。既有一个紧挨一个的备有水上运动设施的度假胜地，也有宁静得只能听到海浪拍岸的田园如画般的休养所。

    人们离开了泰国，回到熙熙攘攘的都市生活中，但是泰国的美好形象仍留在游客的脑海之中。正因为如此，许多游客会一次又一次地回到那令人难忘的“微笑之国”。